Employment in the UK's Scientific Research and Development sector has experienced varied fluctuations over the past decade. Starting at 108.08 thousand in 2013, employment briefly dipped in 2014 before observing peaks in 2017 and subsequent fluctuations. By 2023, the sector employed 110.73 thousand FTEs, indicating modest growth with a year-on-year increase of approximately 0.27% and a 5-year CAGR of around 0.88%. Projections for 2024 to 2028 suggest a continued, albeit slow, increase, reaching 112.12 thousand by 2028 with a forecast 5-year CAGR of 0.2% and overall 5-year growth rate of 0.99%.

Future trends to watch for include:

Impact of emerging technologies and digital transformation on workforce requirements.
Policy shifts and funding changes affecting research investments.
Growth in interdisciplinary and collaborative R&D efforts.
Evolution of the global scientific landscape and its implications on the UK sector.